Ingrid DeLoach

The strategic plan for Sullivan County focuses on maximizing student opportunities for lifelong success by preparing them for college and careers and fostering productive community membership. The plan prioritizes sustained growth in student learning, improvements in internal operations, facility planning, and enhanced opportunities for students and staff. Key goals include demonstrating growth in ELA, mathematics, ACT scores, graduation rates, and Ready Graduate rates, while also addressing chronic absenteeism. The plan also emphasizes facility master planning, salary improvements for staff, and efficient budget management to maximize the impact on student learning.

The work session of the Sullivan County BOE covered several topics, including discussions on COVID-19 protocols and the need for a clear position statement for parents, particularly regarding water fountains and attendance at athletic events. The board also discussed the health department's role in contact tracing. Additionally, there were discussions on the approval of an updated contract for the Bishop property, revisions to the 2021-2022 budget, the United Way sports pass, and substitute pay rates. The board also considered the impact of substitute pay on educational assistants' compensation.

The special call meeting was convened to address a single agenda item: the contract with BTES for additional electrical service to support athletic lighting at the Westridge Athletic Complex. The recommendation was made to approve the contracts, which involve repurposing a transformer for the baseball field and installing a new transformer for the football field. The goal is to ensure adequate power for the athletic lighting by the fall sports season.

The meeting included a moment of silence for Cindy Torbett, a guidance counselor, and Jack Bales, a former board member. Discussions covered the need for high-speed internet for students in rural areas, the importance of face-to-face education, and concerns about extracurricular activities potentially increasing the risk of community spread of diseases. The board also addressed the naming of new middle schools and the importance of maintaining community identities. Updates were provided on the public-private partnership, the early retirement incentive, and the salary equalization committee.

The meeting addressed the December 5th incident at Sullivan Heights Middle School, with a summary of the investigation provided. There was follow-up discussion regarding social media and the importance of accurate information. The board announced the high school graduation dates, recognized CPR instructors, and acknowledged the designation of all campuses as Project Adam Heart Safe Schools. A motion was made and approved to grant authority to the director of schools to approve and sign settlement agreements related to the Jewel Labs litigation. Additionally, a motion was made to declare property on Henry Harr Road as surplus and begin proceedings for surveying and perk testing.